BIOGRAPHY

1. Stephanie Lett

   Dear Kent,

   It’s a relief and a joy to know you’ll be taking the helm at NJN, even if only temporarily. Your thorough understanding of the organization and it’s people will buoy our confidence in NJN. Thank you for accepting this responsibility, and I look forward to the positive changes you will initiate at NJN.

   Warmest regards,

   Stephanie Lett

2. Judy Goetz

   I will miss you on air but I am lucky to still be working with you. You are NJN, a great anchor, colleague and more importantly, a great friend. Congratulations on your new role here at NJN! Judy Goetz

3. Jill A. Hargrave

   Kent, Congratulations on your new role as Interim Executive Director of NJN Public Television and Radio. It has been an honor to work with you on so many documentaries over the years from our trip to Japan for “Myths of Aging” in 1988 to our collaboration on “A Conversation with Mary Robinson” as well as the epic “Teaching Over Time” in 2003.

   I know I share your commitment to NJN and in your new position, I believe you will lead us through these difficult financial times and ready us for new opportunities as prosperity returns. I look forward to working with you to help you build NJN’s future as we move into the age of digital broadcasting.

   All the best, Jill

4. Fred Ehmann

   Our brightest and best. Thanks for all these years of selfless, honest service to New Jersey Public Television. You will be missed.

5. Edward Hartman

   Thank you so much for all you’ve given to NJN. We will miss you so much on the News but we’re glad you’re still here showing your commitment to NJN Public Television.

6. Ed Rodgers

   kent:

   It’s been 23 great years working with you in the newsroom. You are a great professional and a pleasure to work with. Hoepfully you’ll be part of NJN’s future for years to come.

7. Steve Priolo

   Dear Kent,

   Well before I joined NJN and still lived at home with mom and dad (boy do I miss their chicken cutlets), I’d tease my mom for watching what I thought was a no frills newscast called NJN News. I asked why she watched. She replied, “Stephen (never called me Steve), this is important news and I just LOVE Kent Manahan, shes smart, articulate and sharp looking.” In 1997 I joined NJN. My first event was the Whitman-McGreevey debate at Rowan University where I watched Kent in action for the first time. She was smart, articulate and sharp looking. As the old adage goes, mom is indeed always right.

   Kent, thank you for being such a wonderful NJN journalist and ambassador. We owe you so much and look forward to continued good stories.

   Warm Regards, Steve Priolo

8. Charlie Starkey

   Kent is not only the consummate professional who has represented the best face of NJN both on screen and off but she has always remained genuine, approachable, a friend to the station and a personal friend to many of the staff.

9. Sara Lee Kessler

   Kent:

   You are the consummate professional, both on the air and off, and a tremendous asset to NJN. I’m so glad that you’ve shelved your retirement plans to take the executive director’s job…at least in the “interim.” Your understanding of how NJN works and how important our news and original programming is to NJN viewers is critical right now. You bring years of credibility and good will to your new role and you will serve the Network well in these turbulent economic times. I wish you much success.

   Warm regards, Sara Lee Kessler

10. Rich Renner

    Not long ago, several clients were in the building to record some narration. During a break, one turned to me with a look of child-like expectation, as if she was about to ask if I was friends with Santa Claus. “Do you think,” she asked, “maybe I could meet Kent Manahan?” I led them on a quick tour of News, and we approached Kent, who was very happy to chat at length. Although we’d been working in the same building for nearly a decade, I was equally star-struck! I have always been proud to tell people that I work where Kent works. And I am delighted that, for the near term, the face of NJN will be the head of NJN.

    JULIUS MAY

11. Thanks Kent.

12. Fred Litwinowicz

    Kent, Congratulations on your new role as Interim Executive Director of NJN Public Television and Radio. We hope to be working closely with you in the coming months. Your professional approach to all the many news programs, documentaries and specials events I’m sure will carry into your new responsibilities.

    I also must confess. The most common reaction I get when someone asks me were I work is “NJN, that’s were Kent Manahan does the news, right “. and of course I say “right”.

    Congratulations & Good Luck. Best, Fred Litwinowicz

13. John Cennerazzo

    Kent, I will miss you very much. You were the glue which made NJN News such a wonderful program.

14. Stacy Amber

    Kent, I am saddened that you have left the anchoring position. At a time when most network anchors and newspeople seem more involved in propagating their own personality over reporting the news, you have been a stirling example of television news reporting. You have always reported each word thoughtfully and respectfully. I was always happy to see your face each day you were on. I wish you all the best and look forward to seeing you in future appearances on NJN. Stacy

15. Pete Rooth

    It’s been my honor to work with Kent over the past year and a half, and her professionalism and dedication to our News program was very inspiring. More importantly, it’s been her friendliness & approachability off-camera that I’ll remember the most about working with her. We couldn’t have asked for anyone better to handle this transition. -Pete Rooth NJN

16. Jeff Strate

    The superb NJN News has been helmed on screen by one of the nation’s very best anchor-journalists. It is a delight to know that Kent Manahan will continue to serve Garden State residents through NJN in other capacities. Congratulations to Kent, the news and public affairs teams and all of NJN. You’re the best.

17. Tony Mondaro

    Kent..

    I have been a loyal viewer of NJN News for over 25 years, Thank You for doing an outstanding job in anchoring NJN News for all these years. While Jim Hooker was right about having to fill big shoes at the anchor desk each night me and my family are sure going to miss you. No matter what the News of the day you and the outstanding team of NJN reporters always have done a fine job night after night. Thank You for all the years of hard work and dedication to NJN News We are going to miss you and have already.

18. Alvin Hylton

    Kent Manahan You are the hero of the newscasts.

    the best that ever will be.

    P.S. Expereance NJN Public Television.

19. Fran Whitney

    Just finished watching your tribute, an hour wasn’t enough to cover such a wonderful career and an inspiring woman as you Kent.

    Continued success and good health (you’ve always had beauty).

    Fran Whitney Long-time viewer

20. Calvin Iszard

    Dear Kent:

    I remember so well the days when the New Jersey Network was New and so were you and I.

    Jerseyvision.

    I was one of the first producer/director hired and you were a “cub” reporter learning your craft. And oh, how well we learned. Under some very tough conditions may I add.

    The news stories were on film! Rushed to get them in the soup and cut for the show. And you made the trek, and it was a trek, each day, never never late, come snow or kid with the mumps!

    So it goes; time flies when one is having fun.

    And now, as it comes for us all, its time to say goodnight and fade to black for the last time. Another show is put to bed. Another to begin.

    But you will never be over. You have set the bar very high for the next “cub” reporter chaffing to fill you shoes and go on to stardom. What you accomplished will live on with each broadcast as the State will live on.

    NJN without Kent, Never!

    But Kent without NJN, yes. To go on and do more great things and keep making a difference, as you have always done.

    “Stand by everyone, open Kent’s mike, Ready 1, take 1.

    …Kent your on……”

    Best Wishes,

    Calvin Iszard Former Producer/Director New Jersey Public Television 1970 – 1981

21. joe lanciotti

    Ms. Manahan

    Many years ago during a big story breaking at the Port Authority I received your call inquiring about the facts. As an information officer I handled many calls, but seldon directly from an anchor person. Professional, unpretentious, and extremely knowledgeable, your character amased me then and does today. Good luck with the rest of your lfie.

22. joe lanciotti

    I noticed the typos when I re-read my first entry. forgive me as I near my 90’s. But the feeling is still there.

23. jeff friedman

    Really enjoyed the special on Sunday. Great knowing you for all of these years. All the best with your new endeavor.

24. Glenn Lindholm

    Dear Mrs. Manahan,

    I just watched the documentary highlighting your career last night. To be honest I think it should have been two hours ! It was interesting to know you were able to balance your career and raise a family of six. I have been watching NJN news now for about 12 years now and no one anchored better than yourself. I will and already do miss you. I was pleasantly surprised to learn you are the Board of Regents of my alma mater (SHU 1988). I wish you luck in all your future endeavors. You will be sorely missed !

    Best regards,

    Glenn Lindholm

25. Mike Gehring

    I too think the special should have been longer! I would also like to have seen more behind the scenes footage including the gradual progression of set changes, theme music, etc. over the years. As a pre-teen in the early 1980’s, I toured your old studios in Ewing Township. This was before NJN when you were still called NJPTV. I also got to sit in the control room and watch “New Jersey Nightly News” live and sit in the anchor chair after the show. I still have the photos! This had a huge impact on me as I later went to college and got into broadcasting. To this very day I still have very fond memories of growing-up with Kent and the entire NJN family.

26. Alan

    I spent a lot of time in New Jersey on business. I remember Kent Manahan as a professional and genuine journalist. I am sure the network will miss her. She is one of the better ones out there.

    
    
27. Bob G

    I started out at a little radio station WSUS in Sussex County NJ that didn’t have a wire service. We used NJN for our state news.

    I used to have to translate what Kent said and put it into my own words for Newscasts. So I would watch and listen to her everynight for 5 years.

    I later worked in sports at NJN and got to see her daily. She was by far, thee most professional and nicest Anchors I’ve ever met.

    I’m still in the business today and I’ve never met a more genuine human being.

    She raised 6 kids while she worked full time and commuted daily from Morristown to Ewing and then Trenton.
    UNBELIEVABLE!